First Chinese 'Red Notice' fugitive repatriated from US

Yang Jinjun, on a list of 100 most-wanted Chinese fugitives abroad released by China in April, was repatriated from the US. [Photo/CCDI]

BEIJING - A Chinese corruption suspect at large for 14 years has been repatriated from the United States to China.

Yang Jinjun, on a list of 100 most-wanted Chinese fugitives abroad released by China in April, was repatriated through "close cooperation" between the judicial, law enforcement and foreign affairs authorities of China and the United States, the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement on Friday.

Yang is the first of the 100, all of whom were subject to an Interpol Red Notice, to be sent back from the United States. He is the 12th from the list to be netted so far.

Yang, 57 years old, was the general manager of a company in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.The CCDI believes he fled to the United States in 2001.He is suspected of embezzlement and bribery.

He is a brother of Yang Xiuzhu, former vice-mayor of Wenzhou city, who was on top of the 100-person list and fled China in 2003, according to Xinhua News Agency.Yang's repatriation marks major progress in Sino-US law enforcement cooperation, according to the statement.

"The Chinese government once again warns suspects at large overseas to have a clear understanding of the situation and voluntarily surrender as soon as possible for a chance of leniency," it said.